Today's Tea

Coffee, has such an enticing aroma, but for me, the rush of caffeine leaves me jittery. I enjoy coffee but not as frequently as others.  Coffee is a drug, and we're addicted to it. I have come to find it's a dilemma shared by many—how to enjoy a caffeinated drink without feeling overwhelmed by its effects.

In my effort to find an alternative, I stumbled upon the world of tea—with diverse flavors and health benefits waiting to be explored. The nuances of different teas captivated me, offering an alternative to the jolt of coffee.

One of the joys of tea is its accessibility. With a stroll outside, I can gather herbs to create my own blend. It's a ritual steeped in history, and hot water, connecting me to the plant that I am ingesting.

For those seeking a caffeine fix without the intensity of coffee, green tea emerges as a clear winner. Its milder flavor profile and lower caffeine content make it ideal. While purists may argue for unaltered leaves, there's no harm in experimenting with different blends to find what works best for you.

My recommendations for tea that can be made at home by foraging in your own garden
Mint in my tea it is almost always welcome, and at the rate it grows, there is never a shortage
Pine needles high in vitamin C, pick the fresh tips for the best flavor
Chamomile, known for its calming properties, aids relaxation and digestion
Lavender offers a delicate floral aroma and calming effects, perfect for reducing stress
Lemon balm boasts a refreshing citrus flavor and mood-lifting properties
Dandelion roots can be roasted to make a flavorful tea, rich in antioxidants and vitamins
Elderflowers create a fragrant tea with immune-boosting properties

 

Consider the gentle embrace of tea, a beverage that nourishes body and soul.

No Till Farming Solutions

 

Predatory Insects

Perhaps the most famous of the predatory insects is the praying mantis. A friend of mine, who loves bugs, told me a great story about one once.

As she observed a praying mantis perched on the side of a barrel, it bobbed its head up and down slowly. The undulating body of the mantis was mesmerizing she could not look away and stood there intently for some time. What could the purpose of this action be she thought? Then suddenly the mantis flashed its wings and off it flew into some tall grass some 30 yards away. Then she realized what had just happened. The mantis was waiting and searching with an acute sense for the perfect air current that would carry it safely to new hunting grounds.  It is a long distance for such a large bug to fly and energy is precious, every little bit conserved goes a long way.

Mantis compound eyes make it difficult for the insect to distinguish depth of field, the bobbing motion also helps to give a better idea as to the relationship between objects. The mantis's stalking method is also built in, wait patiently for prey, a slow methodical approach, and a lightning fast snatch. We adore its size and stature, its strange alien eyes, somehow it endears itself to us.  The praying mantis is a protected species after all. Knowing what good it does for us in the way of pest control, we should accept that the mantis is not the only bug that predates on others which deserves and needs our protection.

I always imagine a plague of locust, some sort of biblical incarnation of pests that swarm in such numbers that every green living thing is stripped down to its bones. The pincing mandibles of hungry hoppers feed so veraciously you can hear them coming. It is somehow reminiscent to a scene in Charlton Heston's, The 10 Commandments. The livelihood of the people is lost to a scourge that could have only been brought on by the wrath of god. Or is this explanation simply out of touch, a convenient way to shift the blame from the true culprit.

Pests have a way of coming out in force when there is no longer balance between predator and prey. When the natural checks that kept the populations from growing exponentially are disturbed those of natural control, predator v. prey, the first to return can't be the predator. In destroying their habitat we strip them of their homes and so they leave or die, pests can't be controlled until predators do return. How much can the predator contribute to control the spread of unwanted insects? In this realm of insect on insect violence, direct from entomologist's observations it is found that the world is full of combat troops. Predators can become prevalent enough to stem the tide, and a balance can be restored.

When insecicides are used to control pests they inadvertently kill predator insects as well, it can even be said that they are more likely to kill predatory insects.  Pest insect immunity to the poisonous control is proven. Some insects have the ability to withstand the onslaught by genetics alone, the habits of others afford them partial immunity. Insects reproduce new generations in a matter of weeks not years as humans do. When only the immune insects are left they become the parents of the next generation and all their hereditary information is passed on. In a way we are creating stronger more resistant bugs with every spraying. And so new and stronger, more poisonous, pesticides were developed to stop ever resistant adaptable new generations of bugs.


A Yellow Jackets sting is no joke, but what is often forgotten is that the yellow jackets main food source is of soft bodied insects like aphids, which they feed to their young. It is common practice to destroy the nest as it poses a danger to the careless lawn mower, or a curious child.  Usually a can of pressurized poison foam is sprayed haphazardly at their nest. Is this poisonous spray really the only option? Could we learn to coexist with a stinging insect? Humans have been keeping bees for centuries, we gave them a home and they became our allies. Not only ground wasps but mud wasps, paper wasps, and solitary wasps do a great service to control the populations of the plant eating insects. We can provide them with  homes too. A parasitic wasp has developed a method by which it lays its eggs on the back of a caterpillar, as they hatch the larva burrow into the back of the caterpillar and suck it dry. A job I am not prepared to do.


At least by virtue of their bright colors and acceptance by humans, in the outside space, lady beetles are normally aloud to live. Most people will allow them to land on their skin, it's even considered good luck. Despite their harmless demeanor lady bugs eat hundred of aphids, scale insects, and other plant eating insects daily. Yet ladybugs are caught behind enemy lines when poison is sprayed.

 The lacewing, Dragonfly, soldier fly, gall midge, predacious mites, and pirate bugs, are all soldiers in this never ending war, without their help we would be overrun with crop destroying insects, yet we douse them all with poison just the same. It is friendly fire, a tactical mistake.
of course birds eat their share of insects, as do bats, snakes, rodents, amphibians, and in this way insects serve their role at the bottom of the food chain. If we build a place for the insects to live and also a place for the predators then nature will take care of her own. It takes time to build an army.

Edible Forest Garden

Inside the forest system there is a closed loop. Resources are produced within the system, they are abundant and renewable. organic material doesn't leave the system, but rather breaks down and is reused. The forest's complexity is the core of its reproducibility. Functions of one organism and their byproducts feed those of others. There is a symbiosis between organisms. In a forest or forest garden if one of these functions is lacking or broken, then the system suffers. It is misguided to think that nature is a vast landscape of competing species, it is an interconnected hive of fertility.  The complex layering of elements creates conditions for the most productivity.


The land around us wants to turn back into a forest. What would happen if you didn't mow or chemically alter your lawn for just one summer? There would be something other than grass growing amongst it. Modern agriculture spends loads of resources to control the land and stop it from reverting to its natural state. In a forest garden one does not try and beat back the forest, only to shape it. Forest "like" is the optimal phrasing, because this forest has a care taker who attempts to mimic natural systems but has the ability to speed up and enhance them. As your forest garden matures less input is needed to manage it. Like a real forest it has all that it needs and returns each year with virtually no external input.

Mimicking the natural forest is as easy as observing and understanding how species work together. One simple observation we could make is that plants do not space themselves in perfect rows, they grow right next to each other in wild abandon. A food forest of all trees and no understory is actually an orchard. Their pattern is chaos, which can be troublesome for the human eye. Another observation is that certain plants fill certain niches. Areas with more or less moisture, areas that have more or less sun, each plant has conditions at which it performs best. 

 A forest garden profile can be broken down into the dominant specie groups for land usage, zone, and height. This is only a profile of plant life, from the top down in order of height.

              1. Canape or Climax trees, these can be tall nut trees, timber trees, or nitrogen fixing trees.
              1-A.The forest is full of vine or climbing species which fill the gaps in the canape. It is important to note that not all vines stunt the trees growth but actually help regulate the amount of sun that the tree is exposed to. (There is a limit to how much sun a tree can convert into useable energy)  
              2. Second are smaller understory trees, might consist of fruit trees (i.e. apples, citrus, or stone fruit)
              3. Below that is the bush, shrub, or cane fruit layer, including woody plants (high bush and low bush)
              4. Herbaceous plants or non woody plants that die back in the winter fill the spaces between the bush layer
               5. The ground covering creeping plants protect the soil
               6. Rhizomes or tuber layer, are plants grown for their bulbous and energy storing root system. Fungi also occupy this niche and are essential for forest health


What specific plants make up these zones? The answer to that depends on your climate zone. Again it is always best to begin designing with native species. The plants are important but it is not any individual plant that is necessary for the design. The important aspect of picking plants is the relationships that one will have with another, and that an area chosen for the plants specific needs is available. Diversity ensures that ecological niches are filled. When plants are combined they form a poly-culture.

Where does the design of a forest garden start? One essential for any plants survival is water. Digging in a swale is one way to ensure your Forest garden is well irrigated especially when it is first being established. Young plants without deep roots would have difficulties reaching the water table. Shelter and dappled shade are important for young plants, too much sun and a young plant can get burned, and strong winds can do physical damage as well as wick away water and soil. So called pioneer plants which take on the role of breaking new ground can handle full sun and readily die back when conditions improve for other species. Most human made systems skip this step by planting partially matured trees or bringing in organic matter to amend the soil.  

Dynamic accumulators and nitrogen fixing plants are a great way to start a self sustaining system. All plants need nitrogen to grow but it is not always abundant in the soil. However nitrogen is abundant in the air and certain plants (most legumes) fix nitrogen into the soil with the help of  microbial growth on their roots. Large tap rooted plants can actually bring water and nutrients up from depths and are made available for the plants around them.  Roots are very powerful they have the ability to work their way through stone and absorb important trace minerals.

Guilds are harmonious grouping of plants that grow better than they would on their own. They interact passively, with root zones that do not conflict, differing light requirements, special growing habits, and beneficial byproducts. A forest garden might be an assembly of species that would most likely not occur in nature but are mutually beneficial in more than one way. In balance these plants should be healthier as well as produce higher yields.

You've got Questions They've got Answers

Here are a few choice questions from amateurs and answers from the experts.

What are the frost-hardy vegetables?
Certain vegetables will live through a light frost after they have come up or after they are set out. The following may be grouped under this heading: beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, collards, dandelion, endive or escarole, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, letuce, mustard greens, onions, parsley, peas, potatoes, radishes, spinach, and turnips.

What is meant by mulching?
The application of various materials -usually organic- to the soil surface to hold moisture in soil, to prevent weed growth, and in some cases, to help keep the ground cool.

Why are plants grafted?
 to propagate horticultural varieties which do not "come true" from seed; to increase plants which are difficult to propagate b other vegetative means, such as cuttings or divisions; to modify growth of scion by use of dwarfing understocks, etc.; to hasten flowering; and to produce plants of special form as when "weeping" trees (mulberry, elm, et.) are "worked" on a tall understock.

For how long does a windbreak exert its influence?
About twenty times its height.

How do different vines climb?
By clinging rootlets, such as English Ivy, trumpetcreeper, euonymus; by adhesive disks, such as Boston Ivy; by coiling tendrils, as baloonvine, Cobaea scandens, sweetpea; by stems which twine, such as wisteria, bittersweet.

How often should snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) be lifted and transplanted?
Do not disturb them unless absolutely necessary; they thrive best when left alone. If transplanting becomes imperative, do it after foliage dies down. Do not keep bulbs out of ground longer than necessary.

Is Adams Elderberry worth planting for fruit for pies and canning?
Yes. Elderberries are ornamental, and many people like the blossoms for wine and the fruits for pies and jelly. They are of easy culture, growing almost anywhere. Some elders, including Adams, need cross-pollination so more than one clone, or type, should be planted. Can be used as a hedge.

Are Persimmons reliably hardy?
The native American persimmon, Diospyros virginiana is native from Connecticut to the Golf of Mexico. Selected varieties are hardy at Geneva, N.Y. and some mature early enough to ripen fruits nearly every year.

Would you advise the home gardener to plant butternut trees?
Butternut(Juglans cinera) belongs to the walnut family but is hardier than our native black walnut, growing from New Brunswick to Arkansas. It is a good choice for the home garden in the north. The oblong nuts have a rich but delicate flavor, preferred by many to the stronger-flavored black walnut. Trees reach 50 to 75 ft. in height.

Will dried blood sprinkled around roots of beans or other vegetables prevent rabbits from eating them? (New Jersey)
Dried blood has long been listed as an effective rabbit repellent, as well as being good for the garden. Some gardeners report that it is not always effective.

 Do stones continually work their way to the surface? If so, why?
Yes, small ones do. Alternate freezing and thawing in winter, digging and cultivation, and also wetting and drying in Spring, Summer, and Fall bring stones to the surface.

Plant Profile: Bergamot

Also known as Bee Balm, Monarda didyma forms a clump of tall brightly colored flowers in mid to  late summer. The aromatic leaves are used to flavor drinks, salads, and stuffing. Also brewed by Native Americans in Oswego tea, which may inhibit nausea, and flatulence. The tea has a calming sedative effect taken for insomnia. Bergamot contains thymol an antiseptic which is applied to pimples, and as a vapor it is inhaled to break colds.

The bright colored flowers and pleasant aroma, which resembles that of the bergamot orange, attracts bees and hummingbirds whom collect its sweet nectar. It's cone shaped flowers are perfect for the long bill of the hummingbird, not so for smaller bees who do not have a large probiscus.

Native to eastern North America, it is a hardy perennial with a squared stem in cross section, a member of the mint family. It has dark green leaves with reddish veins and a sharply toothed margin. Scarlet Bee Balm prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade, takes to moist but well drained soil.

Starting Seeds

Seed germination normally depends on natural forces, if we mimic the conditions of the outdoors we can sprout seeds and get a head start on the growing season.

Getting seedlings growing early means that the plants will have more time to mature, they will be more likely to produce fruit and survive an early frost.

Here is the first iteration of my seed starting set up. I am attempting to germinate Alpine Strawberries, a light sprinkling of seeds across the top of a mix of potting soil and vermiculite. Vesca Baron are photoblastic, or need light to germinate.  An 18" shop light is placed directly on top of the starter tray. The two florescent tubes are specialty terrarium bulbs that produce a close proximity to natural light, or a wider range of blue and red light, the part of the spectrum plants need to grow.  Seedlings that do not have enough light get "leggy", or tall and weak as they reach out to find more light. Keeping the grow light as close as possible to the plants will mitigate this, simply raise the lights as the seedlings get taller. Light can be left on the plants for as much as 16 hours a day. In the bottom left of the photo you can see my automatic timer, some Sears relic I had lying around. Starting seedlings in a South facing window can also be a big help, but may need supplemental artificial light as winter light is still scarce.

This plastic tub I also had lying around saved me a few bucks as a starter tray. It is also very important that the seeds stay moist so that the hard outer shell of the seed can be weakened, and the germ-plasm can push through. The tub's locking lid helps to trap moisture making my job very easy. The clear plastic of the tub lights up nicely, although there is light leakage right now, it could be remedied with a white cloth over top, or a mirrored surface surrounding it.

Underneath the tub there is a seedling heat mat. The whole set-up is on the floor in the basement, which would not be conducive for growth without extra warmth. Seeds usually need anywhere from 60-75 degrees F to break their dormancy. The seedling heat mat gently raises the temperature keeping the soil warm which allows the seed to begin its growth and gives the roots favorable conditions. A cheap alternative is to keep your seedlings on the top of your fridge where heat from the motor is normally warm enough.


Stratification is the process by which seeds are put in an often necessary dormant state of cold/moist temperatures which help to break down the seeds hard outer shell.

Scarification happens when a seed has its outer shell scratched or disturbed to make it easier for moisture to enter. Easily achieved with a few runs over with sand paper.

Once seeds germinate it is a good idea to uncover them at least for a while so that gasses can be exchanged. Excess moisture can cause mold to form which may injure your young plants. It helps the development of seedling to have some air movement, enough to get it swaying in the breeze. This is important for strengthening the stem of the plant. All plants respond to external stimuli, the development of a young plant can determine how it will perform later in life. I keep a close eye on my young plants to ensure that conditions are optimal.